Torque gauge



Feb. 1, 1944.

c. A. FOX

TORQUE` GAUGE Filed Feb. 25, 1945 /Nv/v roel CHAELES Aam Fox A Woe/YE YPatented Feb. l, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE 'roRQUE GAUGEApplication February 25, 1943, Serial-No. 477,054

i Claims. (Cl. 265-1) This invention relates generally to apparatus formeasuring torque and'more specifically to such an apparatus adaptedparticularly for use inl measuring the torque of the blades ofpropellers of air-borne craft, such, for instance, as

airplanes, the predominant object of the'invention being to provide animproved and extremely simple torque gauge through the use of which thetorque of blades of propellers may be accu'- rately measured.

As is well known to persons familiar withy such matters, the blades ofpropellers of many'modern airplanes are supported for adjustment inorder thatv the pitch of said blades may be varied at the will of thepilot, such adjustment of the propeller blades being known as featheringthe blades. The support of the propeller blades for such adjustmentrequires that said blades be provided with suitable bearings, and it isof the utmost importance for proper operationv of an airplane soequipped that the friction between all of the blades of a propeller andtheir bearings be uniform. t

Prior to this inventionv the torque of propeller blades was measured byapplying to ablade an Y end portion of an elongated arm and attachingto, or supporting on, the opposite, free end portion of the elongatedarm the required number of weights to apply to the blade the requiredtorque to turn the blade. ber of weights employed and the heavinessthereof indicated the torque required to turn the blade in inch-pounds.Whilethis manner of measuring the torque of propeller blades was fairlyaccurate, it was objectionable in that provision v had to be made forthe safe keeping of numerous weights, and the transportation of suchweights to widely separatedv plants and air fields where the torque ofpropeller blades was measured.V

Theimproved torkue gauge disclosed herein eliminates the objectionreferred toy above because of thefact that it includes no weights., the

In this way the numbroken away to permit of the structurev being drawnto a large scale.

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of a' portion of the improved torque gauge.

Fig. 3 is' an enlarged, fragmentary section taken on line 3-,3 of Fig.2.

. Fig. 4 vis an enlarged, fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 ofFig. 1. y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merelyone embodiment of thev invention, A designates the improved torque gaugegenerally. The torque gauge A includes as a part of its structure 'anelongated arm I which is provided with an outer end portion I. that isof increased width, as is shown'- to good advantagein. Fig. 1. Theportion I' of the elongated arm I has formed therein and extendedtherethrough, an opening 2 which is of such shape thatv it willreceivetherein a blade of a propeller, the portion I' of the arm I beingpassed over the propeller blade from its outer lend toV -cause thepropeller blade to. extend through the opening 2. The elongated arm Imay be formed from any suitable material, one such being plywood.

Supported` by the elongated arm I, at the end thereof opposite to thelocation of the wider end portion If, is a head 3, saidhead beingcomprised of a pai-r of spaced plates 4 provided with oifset portions-4which causes thefouter portion of the head at one side ofthe offsetvportions to be of less depth than the head portion atthe opposite sideof the oiset portions. The plates 4 are secured together by transverseposts 5 which are provided with reduced, opposite end portions havingannular shoulders at their inner ends that-contact with the inner facesof the spaced plates, 4, Vthe reduced outer end portions of the postsbeing extended through apertures formed through the plates and theextreme outer end portions of said reduced portions being riveted overto securely the plates together in their proper spaced relation. Theouter end portion of the narrower portion of the elongated arm I isextended between the wider spaced portions o1 thevgspaced plates 4, andthe outer end face of saidnarrower arm portion abuts against the oilsetportions 4 of said plates,` as is shown to good advantage in Figs. 1, 2,and 3. Also, a sidey edge of the portion of the elongated arm whichisdisposed between the plates 4 contacts with th posts 5 previouslyreferred to herein.

At the side of the head 3 opposite to the side over at their outer endsto secure the bar to theA A spaced plates in a xed position with respectthereto (see Fig. 5).

The bar 6 has formedv therethrough a pair of screwthreaded openings inwhich a pair of set screws I8 are' supported,`

said set screws being provided with non-circular i apertures which areformed in the outerportions of the set screws and arefadapted to receivea suitable tool for rotating the set screws., The 4 inner ends of theset screws 8 contact with pads 9 formed of metal or othensuitablematerial, said pads being in the forni'of a disk and being forced intocloseV contacting engagement' with the adjacent edge face of theelongated arm by the set screws 8 upon inward adjustment of said setscrews. It is to be lnoted that the force applied to the portion of thearm I, which is disposed between the plates 4 of the head 3, by the setAscrews 8, jambs 4said arm portion against theeposts 5 with the resultthat the arm portion is securely gripped atr three triangularly relatedpoints bythe posts 5 and the securing means which includes the setscrews 8. The result Vof this situation is that the arm I and head 3ofthe apparatus are very securely attached together.

,Forming parts of the structure of the head 3 of, the improved apparatusis a plurality of blocks Ip, II, I2, and I3, said blocks being of likeconstruction and arrangement exceptv for a slight difference between theblocks I and II and the blocks I2 and I3 which will be hereinafterreferred to. VThe blocks Iutand I2 are arranged in alined relationadjacent to' one side of the lhead 3 of the apparatus', While the blocksII and I3 are arranged in alined relation adjacent to the vopposite sideof said head. Each of the `blocks I0, II, I2, and I3 comprises a bodyportion which is `disposed between the spaced plates 4 of `the head ofthe apparatus with opposite side faces of saidbody portioncontactingwith inner .face portions of said plates 4. Also, each blockis providedwithtrunnions I4 which extend outwardly` from thev bodyportion thereof in opposite directioris and these trunnions .aredisposed in openings formed through the spaced plates 4 so as to providefor the pivotal support of the block'relative to the plates.A Likewise,each `of the blocks I0, I I, I2, and I3, has an openingnI5 formedvertically therethrough (Fig. 3), lthe Vopenings I5 of the blocks I0and-II being alined with the openings I5 of the blocks I2 and I3.

Ihetblocks Illand I2 support an'elongated rod II,A4 formed of fsteel orother material possessing `therequired resiliency, and the blocks II andI3 support asimilar elongated rod i1. Portions of the rodslIlG' and I1`are disposed in theopen- '.ings'I5 ofthe blocks by which theyaresupported, said'rods being rigidly secured to the vblocks I9 and II,respectively, by set screws I8 which are screwthreadedly seated inscrewthreaded openings formed in said blocks ID and II and which'areadapted for adjustment into binding engagement with said rods. The rodsI G and I1 extend loosely through the openings I5 of the blocks I2 andI3 without being secured to said blocks and it is in this regard thatthe constructions of the blocks I2 and I3 differ from that of the blocksI9 and II as referred to above, inasmuch as the blocks I0 and II areprovided with set screws for securing the rods to said blocks, While theblocks I2 and I3, include no such set screws. At their outer ends theelongated rods I6 and I1 have xed thereto, and are joined 1' by, atransversely extended member I9 which is of such width that it fitsloosely between the plates 4.of the head of the apparatus, as shown tothe best advantage in Fig. 4. This member I9 has Xed thereto' andextended therefrom a v`handleA 20 which preferably is provided with aknurled grip, said handle being provided with a screwthreaded shank 2|that extends from a shoulder 22 (Fig. 3). The handle is secured tothe'member I9 by having the shank 2I thereof extended through an openingformed through saidmember I9 with the shoulder 22^in contact withthe'top face of the member I9, and by-applying a nut 23 to the lower endportion of the shank so that said nut engages 'theelower face of saidmember I9.

Supported by the spaced plates 4 of the head 3 of the apparatus A, forrotation about its axis, is an elongated pinion 24. The pinion 24 isdisposed between the spaced plates 4 of the head of the apparatus andsaid pinion is provided with tapered trunnions 25 which extend outwardlyin opposite directions from the opposite ends of the pinion throughapertures formed through the spaced plates 4, the walls of saidapertures supporting said trunnions for rotation. Mounted fixedly on thetrunnions 25 is a pair of indicators 26, said indicators comprising eacha hub 'portion' 26a which is provided with a bore that is tapered inaccordance with the taper of the trunnion by which itv is supported, andan arm 2Gb vwhich is fixed to and extended from said hub. Each trunnion25 of the pinion 24 is screwthreaded at its outer end portion, andmounted on this screwthreaded portion is a nut 21 which is screwedinwardly ofthe screwthreaded portion of the trunnion to force thetapered wall of the .bore ofthe hub of the associatedrindicator intobinding engagement with the tapered surface of 'the trunnion so as tosecurely x the associated indicator 25 to the trunnion. v Theindicatorarms 26h .are adapted to move relative to outer face portions28 of the opposed plates 4 of the head 3 ofthe apparatus, said faceportions servingI as dials being provided with graduations indicatinginch-pounds, and being enclosed within an annular, outstanding flange29. Extended inwardly from the transverse member I9 located at the outerends of the rods I6 and I1, is a supporting element 30. This supportingelement includes a screwthreaded vshank portion which is screwed ,into ascrewthreade'd opening formed in the transverse member I9, fand anenlarged, bifurcated headportion at the lower end of said shank, as theapparatus is illustrated in Fig. 3, a lock nut V3| being provided tolock 'head portion of said element by a pivot-pin 33- porting.element-301 is provided? with. a. cav-ity" in which is arranged acompression. coil spring 34 (fli'ig:` 3), this coil springcontacting. atone-of: its ends' with a: Walll at.` the.1 closed end of. the-- cavityand' at. its opposite endwith the rack; 321.` The coil: spring 34;exerts such. pressure `against. the rock 32 thatthe teeth ofsaidrocklare maintained in; proper enga-gement with.` the teeth of.`th'ei pin'.- ion 24 at all-times.

Securedi inl place. between the4 spaced plates 4 of the-.head1 31' ot'the apparatus; at a point adjacent' to. thelocation. of the. pinion. 24;is ai strip of material. 35;r said strip of materiali being fixed tothe'spa'cedf plates byl suitable fastening' elements 35.`vvhich4 extend:through; alined apertures formed through said strip of i materiali andthrouglr said spaced; plates. The:- strip. of: material 35 vhas securedthereto. a U.shaped. member 3l' having opstanding. portions..31 thatserve as 'abutmentsl Whichv limit movement; of parts of' the apparatusduring: useth'ereof,y ask will. be presently pointed out'herein.

Ln the use' of theV improved apparatus disclosed herein, the apparatus'is appliedito a. blade of a propellerby'causing the bladeitozbeextendedthrough. the opening 2 of the' arm of' the apparants. The propellerisheldagainstrotation, and

the operator testing' the torque. of: the" blade of the propeller willgrasp. the handle; 20 oftheappartus and with the aid? of the apparatuswill apply to the propeller1 blade: forcewhich. tends-to tum thepropeller blade about. its axis. The. resilient rods I6 and l1-ivillyield; as this force is applied toi the propeller blade, inaccordancewithy the friction existing. at the bea-rings of the propeller blade,andasaresult. of such yielding movementof. the rods: wand I-1 the-rack32 will be moved relative tothe pinion 24 so. as to rotates. said.pinion and cause. the indicators 216 to move with respect-to thegraduationson the opposite face portions 28 of the spacedplatesofthe-headportion'of the apparatus. In this manner the torque required toturn the blade with respect to its bearings is indicated by theapparatus at the dials thereof in inch-pounds, and such reading may bemade at either side of said apparatus. Also, because the dials of theapparatus are graduated in opposite directions from a neutral or zeropoint, the apparatus may be employed to apply turning force to apropeller blade in either of opposite directions. The upstandingportions 31 of the U-shaped member 31 (Fig. 3) limit exing movement ofthe rods I6 and I7 so that said rods may not be forced beyond Vtheirlimits of resiliency, such excessive movement of said rods beingprevented by the element 39 or the opposite end of the rack 32 cominginto abutting engagement With one or the other portion 31. of the member31. Also, because of the particular arrangement of the member i9 inassociation with end portions of the resilient rods IB and I1, thehandle 20 is maintained in parallel relation with respect to the majoraxis of the elongated arm I at al1 times during flexing movement of saidresilient rods, thus facilitating application of force to the apparatuswhich tends to flex the resilient rods and thereby causes the apparatusto function.

I claim:

1. A torque gauge comprising an elongated structure adapted forengagement with an article to be tested with the aid of the torquegauge,

indicating meansv associated with said. elongated structure and whichincludes a movable. indicator; a. pair of.7 spacedr elongatedresilientrelements capable` of being 'exed during yuse ofthe torquegauge, a member joining said spacedeiongated resilient elements. atAcorresponding. ends thereof, a handle associated withsaid member andadapted for use in..applying flexing. movement to said spaced elongatedresilient elements, Vand means. for transmitting. movement of saidspaced elongatedfresilient elementsresultingfrom flexing thereof torsaid. indicator so as. to indicate bymovement of` said indicatorthedegree of flexing-movement to-Which the spaced elongated .resilientelements are subjected.

2. A torque gauge comprising. anV elongated structure adapted forengagement with an article-tobetested. with.: the aid. of the :torquegauge, indicating means associated' with: said elongated lstructure andwhich. includes. a movable indicater; a: pair of spaced elongated.resilient elements. capable. of beingl flexed duringvv use of the torquegauge, ainember joining said. spaced elongated resilient elements at;corresponding' ends thereof.. a handle associated with. said member and.adaptedl for use. in applying yflexing movement: to said spaced'elongated resilient elements, andV means. for. transmitting movement' ofsaid spacedv elongated .resilient elements'a resulting -f rom\ flexingthereof: to said indicator` so as'v to Cal indicate by movement of saidindicator the( degree of' flexing movement to which the. spacedelongated resilient elements are subjected, the lastementioned; meanscomprisingv a pinion. to Whichsaid indicator is fixed', and a rack whichis supported. by and is movable with said member land cooperativelyengages said pinion so as* to rotate the same.

3..A torque gauge comprising an elongated structure adapted" for.engagement with an. ar-

ticletogbetested. with the; aidof thetorque gauge, indicating. meansassociated with. sai-d elongated structure sand" which includes a'movable indicator,v a pair4 of spaced` elongated resilient ele` mentscapable; of being: flexed during. use of' the torque gauge, a memberjoining saidzspaced elongated resilient elements at corresponding endsthereof, a handle associated with said member and adapted for use inapplying exing movement to said spaced elongated resilient elements, andmeans for transmitting movement of said spaced elongated resilientelements resulting from flexing thereof to said indicator so as toindicate by movement of said indicator the degree of flexing movement towhich the spaced elongated resilient elements are subjected, thelast-mentioned means comprising a pinion to which said indicator isfixed, a rack which is supported by said member for pivotal movementwith respect thereto and which is movable with said member, and springmeans for maintaining said rack in cooperating engagement with saidpinion so that movement of said rack will rotate said pinion.

4. A torque gauge comprising an elongated structure adapted forengagement With an article to be tested with the aid of the torquegauge, indicating means associated with said elongated structure andwhich includes a movable indicator, a pair of spaced elongated resilientelements capable of being flexed during use of the torque gauge, amember joining said spaced elongated resilient elements at correspondingends thereof a handle associated with said member and adapted for use inapplying flexing movement to said `spaced elongated resilient elements,means for -transmitting movement of said spaced elongated resilientelements resulting from flexing thereof to said indicator so as toindicate by movement of said indicator the degree of flexing movement towhich the spaced elongated resilient elements are subjected, thelast-mentioned means comprising a pinion to which said indicator is xed,

.a rack which is supported by said member for pivotal movement withrespect thereto and which is movable with said member, and spring meansfor maintaining said rack in cooperating engagement with said pinion sothat movement of said rack will rotate said pinion, and abutment meansfor limiting movement of said spaced elongated bleof being iiexed withrespect to said head ystructure during use of the torque gauge, pairsoffspaced blockssupported by said head structure for pivotal movementand provided with vopenings through which said spaced elongatedvresilient elements extend, a member joining said spaced elongatedresilient elements at corre `Vsponding ends thereof, a handle associatedwith said member and adapted for use in applying flexing movement tosaid spaced elongated resil- "ient elements, and means for transmittingmovement of said spaced elongated resilient elements `:resulting fromexing thereof to said indicator so as to indicate by movement of saidindicator the degree of flexing movement to Which the spaced elongatedresilient elements are subjected. 6. A torque gauge comprising anelongated arm adapted for engagement with an article to `be'tested Awiththe aid of the torque gauge, and

a head structure mounted on said arm at an 'end thereof, said headportion including indicating means provided with a movable indicator, apair lof spaced elongated resilient elements capable of being exed withrespect toV said head structure during use of the torque gauge, pairs of`spaced blocks supported by said head structure for pivotal movement andprovided with openings 'through Which said spaced elongated resilientelements extend, clamping means for securing -said spacedelongatedresilient elements to the blocks of an associated pair of saidblocks, a member joining said spaced elongated resilient elements atcorresponding ends thereof, a handle associated with said member andadapted for use in applying exing movement to said spaced elongatedresilient elements, and means for transmitting movement of said spacedelongated resilient elements resulting from iiexing thereof to saidindicator so as to indicate by movement of said indicator the degree offlexing movement to which the spaced elongated resilient elements 'ofbeing flexed with respect to said head structure during `use of thetorque gauge, pairs of spaced blocks supported by said head structurefor pivotal movement and provided with openings through which saidspaced elongated resilient elements extend,Y a member joining saidspaced elongated resilient elements at corresponding ends thereof, ahandle associated with said member and adapted for use in applying exingmovement to said spaced elongated resilient elements, means fortransmitting movement of said spaced elongated resilient elements re'-sulting from flexing thereof to said indicator so as to indicate bymovement of said indicator the degree of flexing movement to which thespaced elongated resilient elements are subjected, and means forsecuring said head structure to said elongated arm.

` CHARLES ADIN FOX.

